One of the most popular everyday activities in the world today is cycling. It is known that the age of the bike rider dramatically affects the speed at which the bike can go, and in this article today, we shall be discussing the different factors that can affect the average cycling speed by age.
Bicycle riding and age are two things that work hand in hand to determine how much power and speed are generated as you pedal. It can be described as an indirect relationship. The older a biker gets, the less speed and energy can be generated while riding, and because of this, there is a decrease in the average cycling speed and power.
To properly view the cycling average speed by age, a graphical illustration has been prepared to vividly show the details at which the age, the average speed in km/h, and the average speed in mph all affect each other. Although to get an accurate and precise measurement of your speed, distance, and time when cycling, it is advised that you make use of the CATEYE Velo-7, as it is known as one of the best tools to gather data about your cycling experience.
| Age | Average Speed – km/h | Average Speed – mph |
| 18-20 | 27 | 16.7 |
| 20-25 | 30 | 18.6 |
| 25-30 | 35 | 21.7 |
| 30-35 | 33.5 | 20.8 |
| 35-40 | 30 | 18.6 |
| 40-45 | 28.5 | 17.7 |
| 45-50 | 24 | 15 |
| 50-55 | 22 | 13.6 |
| 55-60 | 20 | 12.4 |
| 60-65 | 18.5 | 11.5 |
From the above illustration, it is clear to see that the age of the rider affects and has an impact on the overall speed at which the bike goes, and it can be said that the younger the rider, the more efficient the cycle becomes, and the older you get, the slower you become. Apart from the speed you can go, the overall power you can produce to increase that speed depends on how much force you can produce as you pedal.
People of all ages participate in biking activities and have their speeds where they can go, even children. If you are looking for bikes that can fully maximize the speed at which the kids can go and be safe, we have prepared a compilation of the best kid’s bikes that will do the job. Apart from children, the older generation can also find bikes that can help them get the most out of this exciting activity.
Age has a significant effect on the speed at which you go and you can notice that from the table, the faster you can go and the more power you can produce as you go from your young adult age into a fully grown adult. Although, as you get older and start reaching older, the body can produce a different amount of power threshold and energy needed to maintain a fast or faster speed. So once riders have reached a peak age of 35 years, it starts to drop, and performances reduce.
On average, once people pass the age of 35, bikers cannot produce similar speeds due to their age and bodies. The numbers start to reduce, and you become slower and less efficient. Although it is a gradual process and if you improve your physical fitness to maintain the same stamina and strength, you will be able to maintain a good average speed even when you get older.
If you’re a biker and looking at the best ages to maximize your performances, then your youth is the best time for you. While you’re young, your body can produce the power needed to move as fast as you want, and you can keep up that pace. People have an average of 17 years to maximize their speed levels properly, so it’s best to make the most out of it until the inevitable drop-off.
There isn’t a single good average speed for cycling, but there are different experience levels and stages.
For a beginner, the best average speed is around 10mph, but once the biker gets used to regular cycling, they can reach approximately 15mph. With regular training and commitment, the rider should be able to reach a speed of 20mph. When the rider has become accustomed to the crafts and can be said to be a professional, an average speed of 25mph is reasonable. Although with proper training, you can easily reach and surpass these levels, you must go at your own pace.
There are different tools that bikers can find helpful, and with proper measurement, you can vividly assess your average speed properly and accurately. One of the best tools to use is the SY bicycle speedometer, which is well-known for its durability and reliability. With it, you can adequately control the bike’s speed.
When looking at your overall cycling speed, it is nearly impossible to ignore these factors that will affect the speed at which you go. Apart from the main factor, power, there are other factors, such as your riding conditions, fitness levels, gravity, covered distance, and rolling resistance, that impact your cycling speed. We shall touch on how these factors affect your cycling speed.
The riding conditions affect the speed your bike goes; some of these conditions include the weather and altitude of where you are riding.
It is dangerous to ride in these conditions, and before going out for a bike ride, it is crucial to consider the needs of your ride before you go out. Apart from the weather, another riding condition you should look at is the wind Trusted Source Cycling In the Wind: Beginner Basics There’s nothing more frustrating on a bike ride than fighting a persistent headwind. These five tips will help you keep your ground. www.active.com . The direction and magnitude of which the wind is blowing can affect how fast you go, and you must make use of proper weather forecasting to avoid being in an unwanted situation.
This is an essential factor that affects the speed at which you go. The stamina and strength needed to generate enough power to constantly pedal and move faster significantly affect how quickly you can go. The fitter you are, the quicker and longer you will be able to go when riding a bike. You must constantly work out and live a healthier and more active lifestyle to improve your speed and ride more efficiently.
One thing that affects your speed is your weight. It is something that bikers should always look at because the more you weigh, the harder it is to get the speed you want, so it is vital to keep your weight at the back of your head whenever you’re looking at how your average speed.
Gravity is another factor that significantly affects your average cycling speed. Gravity depends on the total weight of muscle mass Trusted Source Muscle Mass Percentage Averages and How to Calculate It Muscle mass is a part of your lean body mass. Its difficult to calculate lean body mass, let alone muscle mass. The most accurate methods are expensive, and there isnt a lot of reliable data. www.healthline.com of your entire body, and how heavy your bike and equipment are also matters.
It is essential to know the impact of the gradient as it is necessary while discussing gravity. The gravity of your body gets higher when a rider is going uphill, and it is the direct opposite when you are going down the hill. Gravity is an essential factor that affects the speed at which you’re going, and you should look at it whenever you want to ride.
Due to the topology and structure of where you’re riding, you can only go at a different pace. For example, riders can’t go the same speed when riding through an open road as when you’re riding through mountains. The location of your ride will determine the level of gravity felt and affect your speed and how fast you can go.
But if you’re interested in mountain riding and looking for the best bikes to maximize your speed when climbing mountains, check out our list of the best mountain bikes.
Another thing that people should look out for is the total distance covered when going on a bike ride. The longer you go, the less speed you will use because your body would’ve become tired from the far distance you have covered. If you want to maximize the speed at which you go, it is advised that you go to shorter lengths as you can entirely go as fast as you want without the thought of conserving your energy and how you can manage it. If you are looking at going longer distances, it is vital to save your energy correctly so you can last longer, and because of this, you cannot always keep up with a top speed.
Rolling resistance is the force created when your bicycle comes in contact with road surfaces. The type of terrain in which you ride either increases or reduces the rolling resistance; if you depend on a flat pathway, the rolling resistance will significantly reduce, but if you’re going along a rough and complex terrain, then it’ll increase.
Riding through wooden tracks and concrete is advised as the pathways that you should be looking to ride on but if you’re looking at depending on an asphalt, roughly paved, or gravel road. It will be harder for women to maneuver around gravel roads than men due to the amount of strength they can produce, but some bikes are specifically made to make it easier. If you’re interested in finding out more about this, we have prepared a compilation of the best gravel bikes for women.
There are different ways to improve your average cycling speed and make yourself much faster. The most vital thing to do is constantly train yourself and work out on your body so you can produce more stamina and energy needed to pedal more and maintain a reasonable speed. Other ways to improve your speed include working on how frequently you brake. Braking Trusted Source Science of Cycling: Braking Brakes have improved as materials and engineering know-how have evolved. The earliest bicycles lacked brakes, which added to their daredevil reputation. www.exploratorium.edu definitely reduces how fast you go, so the less you do, the quicker you move, but it takes a lot of practice and should only be done once you’re good to avoid injuries and unwanted accidents. Riding in a group also helps you improve your cycle speed because you will always want to keep up with the pace of your peers.
To calculate your average cycling speed, you have to divide the total distance you have covered by the total time of your ride. There are also special tools that can make it easier for you to calculate your average cycling speed.
It is a good thing for a 60-year-old to cycle as they are keeping their body fit and healthy how they can, but it is advised to maintain an average speed of 9km/h. They should also look at their physical strength and endurance before cycling.
As you get older, you can’t ask your body the same way you did while you were younger. So, it’s almost impossible to produce the same amount of power needed to move at a very fast speed while cycling. You should be okay with the speed you’re going as you’re older and know that it is natural that the average cycling speed by age reduces the more you grow.
But if you keep working out, eating healthy, keeping fit, and staying active as long as possible, you can easily maintain a good speed for as long as you want.
